George K. Kudravetz October 07, 1919 – January 01, 2019 Share this obituary Sign Guestbook George K. Kudravetz, age 99, of Charlottesville, Virginia, passed away on January 1, 2019. A veteran of two wars, he was born in Willimantic, CT, on October 7, 1919, to Louis and Patricia (Tagil) Kudravetz, both of whom had emigrated from Russia. He grew up and attended schools in Norwich, CT.
After graduating from Norwich Free Academy, where he played baseball and basketball, he completed Mississippi State’s flight training school on a baseball scholarship. He received his private pilot’s license – before he learned to drive a car. Anticipating the entry of the United States into WWII, he joined the Army Air Corps in 1941.
He trained at Parks Air College in E. St. Louis, IL, and Randolph Field and Kelly Field in San Antonio. After he graduated and received his wings, he was assigned to be a flight instructor for cadets at a training base in Enid, OK, where he met his future wife Barbara Waller. They were married May 21, 1943.
That year, he was assigned to the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces Headquarters in Casserta, Italy, where his main mission was to fly war correspondents who covered battles in various theaters of operations in Europe. He then served with the American occupational forces in Vienna, Austria, where his Russian language skills were key; and with the U.S. Mission in Bucharest, Romania. On his return to the U.S., he attended Army Language School in Monterey, CA, for further Russian study, then taught Russian to air combat crews at March Field, CA.
His next assignment was with the Strategic Air Command, 22nd Bomb Group, based in Okinawa during the Korean War. After the Korean War, he next served as an Air Technical Liaison Officer at Wright- Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, and later in the same capacity at the Air Technical Intelligence Center in Wiesbaden, Germany, Lindsey Air Base. He was awarded a Command Pilot rating effective June 1, 1957.
After returning from Germany to the Washington, D.C., area, George and his family lived in Arlington, VA. He was assigned to the Directorate of Intelligence at the Pentagon, later transferring to the Foreign Technology Directorate at Andrews AFB. George retired from twenty-four years of military service on July 1, 1964.
His second career of 23 plus years was with the National Technical Information Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce. George was a voracious reader, particularly of spy novels; an avid golfer; enthusiastic billiards player; and, after moving to Charlottesville in 2004, a devoted supporter of University of Virginia sports, especially baseball, basketball, and soccer. Most of all, he was a wonderful father and grandfather, and his joie de vivre made him a pleasure to be around.
Everywhere he lived and served, he made lifelong friends. George and Barbara were long-time summer residents of Martha’s Vineyard, where they spent many wonderful summers. He spent countless enjoyable hours fishing, and won several fishing tournaments.
Through the years, he and Barbara were fortunate to take many trips together in the U.S. and abroad. Predeceased by his parents, his brother Michael Kudravetz (Martha), and his sister Sonya Kudravetz Peichert (Hal), he is survived by his wife of more than 75 years Barbara; sons: David Waller Kudravetz (McCrea) & granddaughter Julia McCrea Kudravetz of Charlottesville; James Douglas Kudravetz (Janet) of Arlington, & granddaughter Tyler Frances Marcela Kudravetz of Baltimore; a sister, Roie Kudravetz of Coral Gables, Florida; as well as many nieces and nephews. In Charlottesville, he was a member of First United Methodist Church.
A time of remembrance will be held for family and close friends at a later date. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Piedmont, 675 Peter Jefferson Parkway, Charlottesville, VA 22911; or Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry, cvilleloavesandfishes.org, 2050 Lambs Road, Charlottesville, VA 22901.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www. hillandwood.com.
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